FROM singing for the Pope to singing as Madonna - Natalie Street has hit the big time!

The 20-year-old St Martin's student - who this Easter was in Rome singing as part of a choir at the Vatican - took the £1,000 first prize in the Thwaites' Stars in Your Pub competition.

Natalie, whose brother Kevin plays for Crewe Alexandra, said: "I've sang all my life in choirs but never taken part in anything like Stars in Your Pubs. I really enjoyed it. The atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. The whole competition was a real buzz."

Crewe-born Natalie, who is studying a degree in music and performing arts admitted it had been a nerve-wracking experience too.

"At Easter I went to sing for the Pope as part of the Cecilia Choir and that was an amazing experience. But I was more nervous singing in the final. I was just up on stage on my own. It is very different to what I am used to but I did enjoy the freedom. I couldn't believe it when I won."

Natalie sang Madonna's version of Don't Cry for Me Argentina from Evita to scoop the prize in the competition that has been searching for talent throughout the North West of England.

Last month she won through her regional final at The Park in Lancaster and represented them in the final showdown, which was held in Blackburn, where she beat off competition from 19 other contestants from all over the region.

Thwaites marketing director Paul Winter said: "All the contestants were terrific and it was a hard job picking a winner but Natalie was very impressive.

"We are delighted with the success of the competition and are planning to run it again next year."

This was Natalie's first pop competition, preferring to use the classical side of her voice. She will be performing a solo performance of Rule Britannia on Sunday at Lancaster University's Last Night at the Proms. Natalie has no future competitions in the pipeline but aims to try professional singing after her degree.